Chronology of Cambodian History

Memorandum From the President's Special Assistant (Rostow) to President Johnson

Washington, September 16, 1968.

SUBJECT
Gene Black's trip to Cambodia (Black visited Cambodia from September 11 to 14. Black's account of his visit, also sent to the President by Rostow, is in telegram 12064 from Tokyo, September 16. Rostow noted in his covering memorandum that the Black mission was "frustrating," and stated, "Clearly they [the Cambodians] will not do the job with the North Vietnamese-Viet Cong bases. It's up to us." (Ibid., Vietnam, 5E (2)b, 1/68-10/68, Cambodia)

Results were nil. Sihanouk did not receive Black. Otherwise, Black received VIP treatment, met with the Prime Minister and the Acting Foreign Minister, and had a thorough review of the problems. Cambodian positions are:

VC/NVA use of Cambodian territory--The Cambodian Government does not intend to do substantially more than it is now doing on the problem.

Cambodians are more concerned over it than U.S. They do not sanction any VC/NVA presence. U.S. claims notwithstanding, there are no permanent Communist installations in Cambodia, and Communist groups which enter from time to time are pushed out quickly. Cambodians are grateful for and use the information we give them on Communist presence, but it would be an infringement of their sovereignty to report to us on results. The International Control Commission functions satisfactorily from the Cambodian point of view.

LCU 1577--This violation of Cambodian waters will be handled according to Cambodian law. Payment of an indemnity for some border incident could lead to a release of the American soldiers without loss of face by either side.

Border Declaration--Cambodians very much want it, and it could be followed immediately by restoration of diplomatic relations. Cambodians assume that our giving border declaration would solve the problem of U.S. violations of Cambodia's border, for we would follow border guarantee by exercising effective control of our forces in the area. Sihanouk could not receive Black for that would be inconsistent with his policy of receiving only representatives of countries which have satisfactorily guaranteed Cambodia's borders.

Black set forth our positions with equal firmness, but no apparent results.

Despite the unyielding position expressed by the Cambodians in regard to Communist use of their soil, Black's trip probably served to underline the gravity with which we view this issue. However, it is not clear that they will--or can--do much about it.

State is examining a couple of new approaches to the problem of getting the eleven American soldiers released. We will come back to you on this if it appears to have any promise. A State advisor accompanying Black managed to visit the prisoners. They are in excellent shape and good spirits, are well-treated and complain only about boredom with their routine of athletics and reading.

Walt

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